法律文件中分词短语的翻译方法


分词短语分为现在分词短语(Present Participial Phrase)和过去分词短语(Past Participial Phrase)两种.这两种分词短语结构简练，因此在英语中用得很多，可以作各种句子成分。从翻译角度讲，作定语和状语用的分词短语尤其值得我们进行一番探讨。

１．作定语的分词短语译成汉语的定语
无论是现在分词短语还是过去分词短语，都可以在句子里用作定语，其作用相当于一个定语从句，修饰前面的名词。与定语从句一样，这种分词短语通常也译成前置的名词修饰语，如：
（a）A party claiming force majeure has the burden to prove the direct relationship between the force majeure and the nonperformance of its obligations under this Contract.
声称不可抗力的一方有举证责任，以证明不可抗力与未履行本合同规定的该方义务有直接关系。
（b）While there are literally thousands of stocks, the ones bought and most actively are usually listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
虽然股票的种类数以千计，但买卖最活跃的股票通常在纽约证券交易所上市。
（c）Each Party agrees to use Confidential Information received from the other Party only for purpose contemplated by this Agreement and for no other purposes .
各方同意仅为本协议预期的目的而不是其他目的使用从对方得到的机密信息。
（d）Each Party forever releases and discharges the other from all claims , debts, allegations, actions, and demands, whether known or unknown, arising from or in connection with the Claim and existing as at the date of this Settlement Agreement, including without limitation any liability for legal costs connected with or arising out of the subject matter of the Claim.
各方永远免除和解除另一方因主张引起的或与之有关的、及在本协议之日存在的一切索赔、债务、指控、诉讼和要求（无论是已知的抑或未知的）应承担的责任，包括但不限于承担与主张的标的有关的或因之引起的法律费用的责任。 #p#分页标题#e#

２．作定语的分词短语的其他译法
与定语从句相似，作定语用的分词短语翻译起来也有相当大的灵活性，未必都得译成汉语的定语。尤其是，如果译成定语会使语句显得冗长累赘或不符合汉语的表达习惯，就应该考虑换一种译法，译成补语或一个分句，以使译文明白通顺。注意下列句子里各个分词短语的译法：
（a）The formation of this Contract, its validity, interpretation, execution and settlement of disputes in connection herewith shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), but in the event that there is no published and publicly available law in the PRC governing a particular matter relating to this Contract, reference shall be made to general international commercial practices.
本合同的订立、效力、解释、执行及合同争议的解决，均受中华人民共和国（“中国”）法律管辖。中国正式颁布的法律对本合同相关的某一事项未作规定的，参照国际商业惯例。
以“there be”引起的现在分词短语，一般应译成其所修饰的名词＋现在分词短语的主谓结构，如：
There are a lot of people doing morning exercises in the park.
公园里有许多人在做早操。
（b）Government, at the federal, state, and local level, seeks to promote the public security, assure fair competition, and provide a range of services believed to be better performed by public rather than private enterprises.
联邦、州和地方各级政府要做的是增强公众的安全感，确保公平竞争，并提供一系列服务，相信这些服务性事业由公有企业来办要比私人企业来办更好。
（c）They include provisions for freedom of speech, of the press and of worship; the right of citizens to meet peacefully; the right to be secure in one’s own home against unreasonable searches and seizure of persons or property; and the right of any person charged with breaking the law to have a speedy trial by a jury of fellow citizens. #p#分页标题#e#
修正案条款中规定言论、新闻和信仰自由，公民有和平集会的权利，有在自己家里享有安全、人身不受无理搜查和逮捕、财产不受无理查抄的权利，以及任何人被指控犯法时享有公民陪审团及时审理的权利。
最后一个句子里的过去分词短语，与其译为“被指控犯法的（任何人）……”，不如改为“（任何人）被指控犯法时……”更顺畅。

现在分词短语和过去分词短语除了在句子里作定语外,还大量地充当状语，其功能相当于状语从句，修饰谓语动词。与状语从句一样，分词短语也可以用来表示时间、目的、原因、结果、条件、让步、方式或伴随情况，翻译时可作相应处理。不过，在法律文件中，作状语结果、方式、目的和时间的分词短语。为叙述方便起见，现将作状语用的分词短语的翻译列举如下：

1．表示结果的分词短语
（a）The mixture among consumers, producers and government change constantly, making a dynamic rather than a static economy.
消费者、生产者和政府三者的混合经常发生变化，因而产生的是动态经济，而不是静态经济。
（b）Countries that are more open to foreign competition and investment receive growth-promoting benefits in two ways: their firms become more competitive and efficient, raising productivity and incomes; and they also are in a better position to absorb technology from abroad.
对外来竞争和投资更为开放的国家，从两个方面得到促进经济增长的好处：它们的企业更具竞争力，效率也更高，从而带动生产力和收入的增长，而且这些企业也能更好地吸收国外技术。

2．表示方式和伴随情况的分词状语
（a）Western thinking is linear, moving from goals to strategy to tactics, or from overview to details (or the reverse).
西方人的思维是线性的，从目标到战略再到战术，或者从概观到细节（或刚好相反）。 #p#分页标题#e#
（b）A “person” includes any individual, company, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, organization, trust, state or agency of a state (in each case, whether or not having separate legal personality).
“人”，包括任何个人、公司、社团、商行、合伙企业、合资企业、协会、组织、托拉斯、国家或国家机构（无论是否具有独立的法人资格）。
（c）Force majeure preventing a party from performing any of its obligations under this Contract, in whole or in part, may be asserted against the other party only if the prevented party gives notice by registered mail of the inception and cessation of the force majeure within fifteen (15) days in each case enclosing a confirmation by the proper authorities or published information attesting the reality of the facts and the accuracy of the data supplied.
一方因遭受不可抗力而不能全部或部分履行其在本合同项下的任何义务，可以通知另一方不可抗力的存在，但遭受方应在不可抗力发生和终止后十五（15）日内，分别用挂号信向另一方发出该不可抗力的消息，证明事实真相和所提供的材料的准确性。

3．表示时间的分词状语
（a）If, prior t Completion, it is found that any of the Warranties is not satisfied, the Buyer shall serve notice in writing on the Seller providing full particulars of the same and an estimate of the Seller’s maximum liability pursuant to any claim resulting from such breach, on which service the Seller may terminate this Agreement without liability to the Buyer, If, having been so notified, the Seller does not terminate this Agreement, the Buyer’s right of recovery in respect of such breach shall be limited to the amount of its estimate.
如果在完成前发现任何一条保证未切实履行，买方应向卖方送达书面通知，提供保证未切实履行的详情，以及根据该等违约行为引起的索赔对卖方的最大赔偿责任作出的估算。通知送达后，卖方可以终止本协议，但买方须承担责任。如果接到该通知后，卖方不终止本协议，买方对于卖方的该等违约行为的追索权仅限于其估算的金额。 #p#分页标题#e#
（b）When completed, the transaction shall be submitted to the competent authority for examination and approval.
交易完成后，应报送主管部门审批。

4．表示目的的分词状语
（a）One in five Americans moves to a new home every year seeking new job opportunities, a better climate, or for other reasons.
每年每五个美国人中，就有一个迁往新的地方，为的是寻找新工作，换换气候，或者为了别的原因。
（b）If, as a result of its corporate restructuring, Party A transfers its equity interest in the CJV to one of its newly-founded affiliates (“Party A Affiliate”), Party A shall provide Party B with a written assurance guaranteeing the performance of the obligations under this Contract by Party A Affiliate.
如果由于甲方进行公司重组而将其在合作经营企业中的股权转让给其新成立的关联公司之一（“甲方关联公司”），则甲方应向乙方提供书面保证，以确保甲方关联公司履行本合同项下的义务。

5．表示原因的分词状语
（a）Attracted by reports of great economic opportunities and religious and political freedom, immigrants from many other countries flocked to the united States in increasing numbers, reaching a peak in the years 1880-1914.
许多其他国家的人听说在美国经济上有很大的发展机会，还有宗教自由和政治自由，于是便纷纷移居美国，移民人数越来越多，1880年至1914年达到顶峰。
（b）Save as hereinafter provided in this Clause X, the Board shall comprise 2 persons appointed by Party A as directors other number of directors as the shareholders may agree, having regard to the proportion of their shareholding of the issued and paid-up capital of the Company.
除本条下文规定外，董事会的组成为甲方委派的2名董事和乙方委派的3名董事，或考虑到各股东在已发行各已缴款的公司股本中的持股比例，股东可能同意的其他人数。 #p#分页标题#e#